Automobile wheel help.



P. V. PHILLIPS.

AUTOMOBILE WHEEL HELP.

APPLICATION 111.1111 JUNE 11, 1913.

1,075,377. Patented 0015.111913.

coLuMun PLAN c.

'Il FI@ FRANCIS V. PHILLIPS, OF ORLANDO, FLORIDA.

AUTOMOBILE WHEEL HELP.

Application filed .Tune 11, 1913.

To all 107mm t may concern Be it known that I, FRANCIS V. PHILLIPS, acitizen of the United States, residing at Orlando, in the county ofOrange and State of Florida, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Automobile Vheel I-Ielp, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for enabling a self-propelled vehicleto extricate itself from mud holes, or from a surface on which thedriving wheels will race without advancing the vehicle.

The object of the invention is to provide an eilicient device which maybe conveniently carried and which may be manufactured at small cost.

In the drawings forming a part of this invention, I have illustrated myinvention in its preferred form, and after a detail description thereof,the features deemed novel will be specified in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings-Figure l illustrates my device as applied forservice. Fig. 2 illustrates the same in plan view. Fig. 3 is an edgeview thereof with the anchoring device turned at right angles with theflexible strip; and Fig. 4l is a sectional view through the widerportion of the flexible strip showing the position assumed when under anautomobile wheel.

My improved device comprises a flexible strip A having an anchoringdevice B secured to one end thereof. The strip A is preferably composedof canvas or other suitable material having a roughened surface and iscomparatively narrow at its forward or free end a, and is ofconsiderable width at the opposite end a which is attached to theanchoring device B. The marginal edges a2 gradually incline outwardlyfrom the narrow to the wide end as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, andthe wide portion of the strip is preferably stifl'ened by extra plies ofcanvas a3 and at as shown in Fig. 3, the outer layers of the canvas orfabric forming a loop a5 at the wide end of the strip through whichpasses a rod or pintle ZJ of the anchoring device B; this securing meansforming a hinge joint as clearly shown.

The anchoring device B is preferably formed from thin sheet metal and isprovided with two prongs h, b to enable it to be readily driven into theground as shown in Fig. l. Its upper or forward end Speccaton of LettersPatent.

Patented Oct. Mc, 1913. SeriaI No, 773,021.

is provided with knuckles b2, b2, one on each side of the fabric strip Awhich receive the ends of the pintle b, the latter being headed orriveted for holding it in place as will be readily understood.

In the use of the device, the anchoring device B is driven into theground in advance of the driving wheel or wheels, (two of the devicesbeing used when necessary, one for each of the driving wheels) at adistance therefrom less than the length of the iiexible strip. Rotationof the driving wheels will operate to draw the narrow end of the fabricdown into the rut, the width of the fabric being such as to permit it toenter a narrow rut and curve itself, to fit the rut and tire. Asheretofore explained the wheel operates to draw the belt thereunder, andwhen it reaches the thicker and stilfer part of the strip a wedge isformed in the rut, thus preventing the belt from further slipping andgiving the wheels the necessary purchase to pull out, as illustrated inFig. 4, the reference letter C in said figure indicating the drivingwheel of the vehicle.

It will be readily understood that my device may be folded so that itwill occupy a comparatively small space in the vehicle when not in use.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A device of the character described comprising a strip of flexiblematerial hav ing a relatively narrow end adapted to enter a rut under awheel, and having marginal edges inclined outwardly toward the wideropposite end, the wider portion of the strip being adapted to be flexedlaterally by the wheel to cause the strip to enter the rut.

2. A device of the character described comprising a strip of flexiblematerial having a relatively narrow end adapted to enter a rut under awheel and having its marginal edges inclined outwardly toward the wideror opposite end, the wider portion of the fabric being reinforced orstiffened and being adapted to be flexed laterally by the wheel to causethe strip to enter the rut.

3. A device of the character described comprising a strip of flexiblematerial and anchoring means secured to one end thereof and adapted tobe driven in the ground.

4. A device of the character described comprising a strip of flexiblematerial and anchoring means secured to one end thereof, said striphaving a relatively narrow opposite end.

5. A device of the character described comprising a strip of flexiblematerial having a relatively narrow end and marginal edges graduallyinclined outwardly toward the opposite end, and an anchoring devicesecured to the wider end adapted to be driven into the ground.

6. A device of the character described comprising a strip of flexiblematerial having a relatively narrow end and marginal edges graduallyinclined outwardly toward the opposite end, an anchoring device securedto the wider end of the strip, said anchoring device consisting of aflat sheet metal plate provided with prongs and adapted to be driveninto the ground and provided with securing means for the strip.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of Jl-wosubscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS V. PHILLIPS.

Vitnesses WV. R. ONEAL, J. S. POMEROY.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

